The 89600B VSA software is then
used to demodulate the signals and
perform any associated analysis. By
using the VSA software in simulation,
the engineer is able to measure simulated
signals with the same algorithms,
user interface, and functionality that
will eventually be used to test the hardware
implementation of the simulated
design (Figure 4). Moreover, because
the software works seamlessly with
spectrum analyzers, signal analyzers,
oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, modular
vector analyzers, and simulation software,
signals can be evaluated during
the design cycle, or at any point along
the SDR mixed-signal hardware chain,
including analog and digital baseband
and IF, RF, and microwave. This can
help the SDR system engineer mitigate
potential integration risks and optimize
tradeoffs that may arise from the
distinctly different design and test
methodologies used by the digital baseband
and RF design teams.

Conclusion

The flexibility of today’s software
defined instruments greatly improves
SDR designer efficiency by providing
the versatility necessary to use common
measurement tools throughout the
radio, as well as through all stages of
development. Such versatility is critical
to enabling the proliferation of emerging
trends in modern radio designs,
like the SDR, which utilize more digital
signal processing and require greater
functionality as well as more rapid
development.

This article was written by Greg Jue, applications
development engineer/scientist with
Agilent’s High Performance Scopes team; and
John Barfuss, field applications engineer for
Agilent Tech nologies. For more information,
visit http://info.hotims.com/40430-541.